Dynamically adjustable sensors for trash compactors and receptacles

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for dynamically adjusting sensors for use in compactors and receptacles. A receptacle first sends a signal from a transmitter on a first module in a receptacle to a receiver on a second module in the receptacle, wherein the first module is located on a first inner wall of the receptacle and the second module is located on a second inner wall of the receptacle, and wherein at least part of the first module and the second module is located a distance above a bin inside the receptacle. Next, the receptacle determines a signal-detection characteristic including a signal detection status or a number of signal pulses associated with a signal detection. Based on the signal-detection characteristic, the receptacle determines an operating condition of the receptacle, the operating condition including a fullness level or an obstruction level associated with the first or second sensors.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/937,961, filed on Feb. 10, 2014, entitled“DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTABLE SENSORS FOR TRASH COMPACTORS AND RECEPTACLES”,and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/937,930, filed on Feb.10, 2014, entitled “SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES FOR ELECTRICALLY-POWERED TRASHCOMPACTORS AND RECEPTACLES,” all of which are expressly incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to trash receptacles and morespecifically to dynamically adjustable sensors for use with trashcompactors and receptacles.

2. Introduction

Collection of solid waste is an expensive and polluting procedure. Everyday, heavy trucks are deployed to collect trash and recyclablematerials. However, there is significant waste in the current wastecollection solutions. For example, collections or compactions are oftenmade to receptacles which are not full and, in fact, are capable ofholding additional waste. Many times, trash compactions are run toofrequently or infrequently, thereby resulting in inefficient operation.Moreover, current solutions do not provide a proper mechanism todynamically adapt the compaction schedules to meet accurate demands.

The receptacles and compactors for waste and recyclables used by thecurrent collection solutions are also prone to poor utilization. As aresult, high implementation, operational and service costs are incurredby the current collection solutions. For example, costly components,such as motors, batteries and various sensors and electronics, aretypically used to power a compactor or a communicating device. Here,such components are not prudently applied or efficiently driven. Also,communications costs are typically high, as communications componentsare often not used efficiently. In some cases, costly networks are usedeven when free networks are otherwise available.

In addition, current solutions lack effective and efficient means fordynamically identifying obstacles such as dirt and waste materials in areceptacle (or any of its components), and promptly making appropriateand intelligent adjustments. Yet waste collection can be a messyendeavor, and, not surprisingly, the operations and components of thetrash receptacles used for waste collection can easily become clogged,encumbered, or inefficient, particularly as waste contents increase.

This problem is exacerbated by the static design and operationalparameters of the current receptacles and compactors, which often proveto be inadaptable to the environment or evolving standards andpractices. For example, standard receptacles and compactors aregenerally limited in their applicability to various types of locationsand operations. As a result, current solutions are not robust, andprovide limited flexibility and adaptability.

SUMMARY

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forthin the description which follows, and in part will be understood fromthe description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosedprinciples. The features and advantages of the disclosure can berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and otherfeatures of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from thefollowing description and appended claims, or can be learned by thepractice of the principles set forth herein.

The approaches set forth herein can be used to dynamically adjustcompactions and sensing operations in a trash receptacle. Using sensors,emitters, and receivers inside the receptacle, these approaches can beimplemented to intelligently determine when a compaction needs to be runin a trash receptacle. Here, sensors can be positioned in differentangles and locations within the trash receptacle to increase or decreasethe number or frequency of waste detections triggering a compaction. Forexample, the sensors inside the receptacle can be shifted upward toensure that fewer compactions are triggered when the machine is in ahigh-use area or is operating in a low-powered capacity or mode.Alternatively, the sensors inside the receptacle can be lowered toensure that waste contents are detected more frequently and,consequently, compactions are triggered with greater frequency. This canprovide a great benefit when compaction requirements are high, forexample. Moreover, if compaction or power demands shift, the machine candynamically adapt accordingly.

Furthermore, trash receptacles can be fitted with multiple sensors orphoto-eye beams to allow the trash receptacles to operate in differentmodes, such as lower or higher detection modes. For example, atransmitter and receiver may be positioned at a first elevation withinthe receptacle for sensing whether the trash has reached the height atwhich compaction should occur. However, another transmitter and receivercan be positioned at a higher, second elevation and the system andmethods disclosed herein enable the receptacle to strategically selectwhich set of transmitter/receiver to use for detection of trash heightand compaction based on a number of factors. Software or instructions inthe storage receptacles can be configured to monitor sensors and signalsinside the storage receptacles, and determine the levels of obstructionor dirt on the sensors or any other components inside the storagereceptacles. The software or instructions can also calculate specificdirt or obstruction levels and use such calculations to trigger variousoperations and modes of operation for better performance.

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readablestorage media for dynamically adjusting sensors for use in trashcompactors and receptacles. A storage receptacle, such as a trashcompactor or receptacle, first sends a signal from a transmitter on afirst module in a storage receptacle to a receiver on a second module inthe storage receptacle, wherein the first module is located on a firstinner wall of the storage receptacle and the second module is located ona second inner wall of the storage receptacle, and wherein at least partof the first module and the second module is located a distance above abin inside the storage receptacle. The first module and the secondmodule can each include one or more sensors. The sensors can include anemitter and a receiver for sending and receiving signals. Moreover, thesensors can include a photoeye sensor, a motion sensor, a proximitysensor, a sonar sensor, a noise sensor, an image sensor, a camera, etc.In some embodiments, the sensors are photoeye sensors. Moreover, thefirst and second modules can include additional sensors. For example,the first and second modules can each include two or more sensors spaceda distance apart and having different heights in relation to the bin.

In some configurations, the first and second modules can each include aninput and an output sensor. For example, the first module can include afirst output sensor and, above the first output sensor, an input sensor.The second module can then include a second input sensor and, above thesecond input sensor, a second output sensor. This way, the lower outputand input sensors can be configured to detect contents inside the bin atthe lower position, and the raised or higher output and input sensorscan be configured to be activated to detect contents inside the bin atthe elevated position at times when it is more desirable to implementthe raised sensors as opposed to the lower sensors. For example, thelower sensors may be implemented when more compactions are desired, andthe raised sensors can be implemented when running in a power-savingmode.

Moreover, the first and second inner walls can refer to parallel walls,adjacent walls, opposite walls, etc. For example, the first inner wallcan be a wall on the left side of the receptacle and the second innerwall can be on the right side of the receptacle. Here, the modules andsensors can face each other. In some embodiments, the first inner wallcan be a top wall which can include the inner top or ceiling of thereceptacle, and the second inner wall can be a lower wall facing the topwall from a lower position such as a floor or divider. For example, thetop wall can be the ceiling of the inside of the receptacle, aspreviously suggested, and the lower wall can be the top of the bininside of the receptacle, which can serve as a floor facing the topwall.

In some cases, the receptacle can replace the second module with amirror or another component capable of reflecting light or signals. Forexample, the receptacle can include the first module, and instead of, orin addition to, the second module, a mirror strategically placed insidethe receptacle to reflect light or signals transmitted from atransmitter associated with the first module. In this regard, thetransmitter can send the signal to a mirror that reflects the signalback to the first module and allows the receiver on the first module toreceive the signal from the transmitter. In fact, the receptacle can beconfigured to include one or more additional mirrors or reflectors thatallow a signal from the transmitter to bounce one or more times insidethe receptacle before reaching the receiver. The number of mirrors ormodules implemented can be based on operating conditions, preferences,receptacle size and shape, usage expectations or demands, location,policies, rules, etc.

In some cases, the receptacle can include a first mirror configured toreflect a signal from a transmitter on a first module to a receiver onthe first module, and a second mirror configured to reflect the signalfrom a transmitter on a second module to a receiver on the secondmodule. This way, the receptacle can be configured to use the firstmodule and first mirror under normal conditions, and switch to thesecond module and second mirror under varying conditions, such as faultyconditions. To this end, the multiple modules and mirrors can provideredundancy, fault tolerance, or different operating modes, for example.In some cases, every side in the inside of the receptacle can include amirror device or a module, including the roof/ceiling and floor of thereceptacle. The floor of the receptacle can refer to the actual floor ofthe receptacle and/or the top of the bin inside of the receptacle, whichprovides a floor to the upper, inside portion of the receptacle. Here,the bin can be equipped with a top mirroring panel, a module on thebin's roof or top, or a module placed on top of the bin.

Next, the storage receptacle determines a signal-detectioncharacteristic including at least one of a signal detection status and anumber of signal pulses associated with a signal detection. Thesignal-detection characteristic can include signal input and outputcharacteristics. For example, the signal-detection characteristic caninclude whether the signal was detected at all, how many pulses weretransmitted before the signal was detected or received, or any othertraits or parameters of the signal. Thus, the number of signal pulsesassociated with the signal detection can refer to the number of pulsesbefore the signal was detected, or the number of pulses without a signaldetection at all.

Based on the signal-detection characteristic, the storage receptaclethen determines a current operating condition of the storage receptacle,the operating condition including at least one of a fullness levelassociated with the bin and an obstruction level associated with atleast one of the first sensor and the second sensor. For example, thestorage receptacle can determine whether the signal was detected orreceived at all based on the signal-detection characteristic, anddetermine that there is currently an obstruction inside the storagereceptacle based on a failure to detect or receive the signal. Moreover,the storage receptacle can also determine the obstacle levels, such as adirt level on the sensor or transmitter, based on the number of pulsesuntil the signal is detected or received. In some cases, as the sensorsare clogged, dirty, or obstructed to a greater degree, it typicallytakes a greater number of pulses until the signal is successfullydetected or received. Accordingly, the number of pulses can be used tocalculate the obstruction levels of one or more sensors. Obstructionlevels can refer to dirt levels, particle levels, performance levels,clogged levels, path-obstruction levels, light conditions, line-of-sightconditions, and so forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the principles briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principlesherein are described and explained with additional specificity anddetail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example architecture for remotely controllingelectrically-powered compactors;

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate an example storage receptacles;

FIGS. 4A-B illustrate example dynamically adjustment systems;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary detector module; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below.While specific implementations are described, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. Other components andconfigurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure.

The present disclosure provides a way to dynamically adjust sensors andcompactions in electrically-powered trash compactors and receptacles. Asystem, method and computer-readable media are disclosed whichdynamically adjust sensors and compactions in electrically-powered trashcompactors and receptacles. A brief introductory description of a basicgeneral purpose system or computing device in FIG. 1, which can beemployed to practice the concepts, is disclosed herein. A more detaileddescription and variations of electrically-powered receptacles, as wellas systems for dynamically adjustment sensors and compactions will thenfollow. These variations shall be described herein as the variousembodiments are set forth. The disclosure now turns to FIG. 1.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system and/or computing device100 includes a processing unit (CPU or processor) 120 and a system bus110 that couples various system components including the system memory130 such as read only memory (ROM) 140 and random access memory (RAM)150 to the processor 120. The system 100 can include a cache 122 ofhigh-speed memory connected directly with, in close proximity to, orintegrated as part of the processor 120. The system 100 copies data fromthe memory 130 and/or the storage device 160 to the cache 122 for quickaccess by the processor 120. In this way, the cache provides aperformance boost that avoids processor 120 delays while waiting fordata. These and other modules can control or be configured to controlthe processor 120 to perform various operations or actions. Other systemmemory 130 may be available for use as well. The memory 130 can includemultiple different types of memory with different performancecharacteristics. It can be appreciated that the disclosure may operateon a computing device 100 with more than one processor 120 or on a groupor cluster of computing devices networked together to provide greaterprocessing capability. The processor 120 can include any general purposeprocessor and a hardware module or software module, such as module 1162, module 2 164, and module 3 166 stored in storage device 160,configured to control the processor 120 as well as a special-purposeprocessor where software instructions are incorporated into theprocessor. The processor 120 may be a self-contained computing system,containing multiple cores or processors, a bus, memory controller,cache, etc. A multi-core processor may be symmetric or asymmetric. Theprocessor 120 can include multiple processors, such as a system havingmultiple, physically separate processors in different sockets, or asystem having multiple processor cores on a single physical chip.Similarly, the processor 120 can include multiple distributed processorslocated in multiple separate computing devices, but working togethersuch as via a communications network. Multiple processors or processorcores can share resources such as memory 130 or the cache 122, or canoperate using independent resources. The processor 120 can include oneor more of a state machine, an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or a programmable gate array (PGA) including a field PGA.

The system bus 110 may be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. A basicinput/output (BIOS) stored in ROM 140 or the like, may provide the basicroutine that helps to transfer information between elements within thecomputing device 100, such as during start-up. The computing device 100further includes storage devices 160 or computer-readable storage mediasuch as a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive,tape drive, solid-state drive, RAM drive, removable storage devices, aredundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID), hybrid storage device, orthe like. The storage device 160 can include software modules 162, 164,166 for controlling the processor 120. The system 100 can include otherhardware or software modules. The storage device 160 is connected to thesystem bus 110 by a drive interface. The drives and the associatedcomputer-readable storage devices provide nonvolatile storage ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules andother data for the computing device 100. In one aspect, a hardwaremodule that performs a particular function includes the softwarecomponent stored in a tangible computer-readable storage device inconnection with the necessary hardware components, such as the processor120, bus 110, display 170, and so forth, to carry out a particularfunction. In another aspect, the system can use a processor andcomputer-readable storage device to store instructions which, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, amethod or other specific actions. The basic components and appropriatevariations can be modified depending on the type of device, such aswhether the device 100 is a small, handheld computing device, a desktopcomputer, or a computer server. When the processor 120 executesinstructions to perform “operations”, the processor 120 can perform theoperations directly and/or facilitate, direct, or cooperate with anotherdevice or component to perform the operations.

Although the exemplary embodiment(s) described herein employs the harddisk 160, other types of computer-readable storage devices which canstore data that are accessible by a computer, such as magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks (DVDs),cartridges, random access memories (RAMs) 150, read only memory (ROM)140, a cable containing a bit stream and the like, may also be used inthe exemplary operating environment. Tangible computer-readable storagemedia, computer-readable storage devices, or computer-readable memorydevices, expressly exclude media such as transitory waves, energy,carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

To enable user interaction with the computing device 100, an inputdevice 190 represents any number of input mechanisms, such as amicrophone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphicalinput, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An outputdevice 170 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanismsknown to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodalsystems enable a user to provide multiple types of input to communicatewith the computing device 100. The communications interface 180generally governs and manages the user input and system output. There isno restriction on operating on any particular hardware arrangement andtherefore the basic hardware depicted may easily be substituted forimproved hardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed.

For clarity of explanation, the illustrative system embodiment ispresented as including individual functional blocks including functionalblocks labeled as a “processor” or processor 120. The functions theseblocks represent may be provided through the use of either shared ordedicated hardware, including, but not limited to, hardware capable ofexecuting software and hardware, such as a processor 120, that ispurpose-built to operate as an equivalent to software executing on ageneral purpose processor. For example the functions of one or moreprocessors presented in FIG. 1 may be provided by a single sharedprocessor or multiple processors. (Use of the term “processor” shouldnot be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executingsoftware.) Illustrative embodiments may include microprocessor and/ordigital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) 140 forstoring software performing the operations described below, and randomaccess memory (RAM) 150 for storing results. Very large scaleintegration (VLSI) hardware embodiments, as well as custom VLSIcircuitry in combination with a general purpose DSP circuit, may also beprovided.

The logical operations of the various embodiments are implemented as:(1) a sequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or proceduresrunning on a programmable circuit within a general use computer, (2) asequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or proceduresrunning on a specific-use programmable circuit; and/or (3)interconnected machine modules or program engines within theprogrammable circuits. The system 100 shown in FIG. 1 can practice allor part of the recited methods, can be a part of the recited systems,and/or can operate according to instructions in the recited tangiblecomputer-readable storage devices. Such logical operations can beimplemented as modules configured to control the processor 120 toperform particular functions according to the programming of the module.For example, FIG. 1 illustrates three modules Mod1 162, Mod2 164 andMod3 166 which are modules configured to control the processor 120.These modules may be stored on the storage device 160 and loaded intoRAM 150 or memory 130 at runtime or may be stored in othercomputer-readable memory locations.

One or more parts of the example computing device 100, up to andincluding the entire computing device 100, can be virtualized. Forexample, a virtual processor can be a software object that executesaccording to a particular instruction set, even when a physicalprocessor of the same type as the virtual processor is unavailable. Avirtualization layer or a virtual “host” can enable virtualizedcomponents of one or more different computing devices or device types bytranslating virtualized operations to actual operations. Ultimatelyhowever, virtualized hardware of every type is implemented or executedby some underlying physical hardware. Thus, a virtualization computelayer can operate on top of a physical compute layer. The virtualizationcompute layer can include one or more of a virtual machine, an overlaynetwork, a hypervisor, virtual switching, and any other virtualizationapplication.

The processor 120 can include all types of processors disclosed herein,including a virtual processor. However, when referring to a virtualprocessor, the processor 120 includes the software components associatedwith executing the virtual processor in a virtualization layer andunderlying hardware necessary to execute the virtualization layer. Thesystem 100 can include a physical or virtual processor 120 that receiveinstructions stored in a computer-readable storage device, which causethe processor 120 to perform certain operations. When referring to avirtual processor 120, the system also includes the underlying physicalhardware executing the virtual processor 120.

Having disclosed some components of a computing system, the disclosurenow turns to FIG. 2, which illustrates an exemplary architecture forcontrolling electrically-powered compactors both locally and remotelyvia a network. Receptacle 204 can be an electrically-powered receptaclefor collecting waste, such as trash and recyclables, for example.Receptacle 204 can be, for example, a solar or battery-poweredreceptacle and/or compactor. Moreover, receptacle 204 can include amotor 226 for performing various operations, such as compactionoperations. Not shown in the figures is the actual structure forcompaction. However, in general, the system in FIG. 2 will includecontrol to utilize power in the batter 236 to run a motor 226 thatperforms compaction on the trash within a bin inside the receptacle.Further, receptacle 204 can be remotely controlled via remote controldevice (RCD) 244. To this end, receptacle 204 can include transmitter206 and receiver 208 for communicating with RCD 244. In particular,transmitter 206 and receiver 208 can communicate with transmitter 240and receiver 242 on RCD 244, and vice versa. Here, transmitters 206 and240 can transmit information, and receivers 208 and 242 can receiveinformation. This way, receptacle 204 and RCD 244 can be connected totransmit and receive information, such as instructions, commands,statistics, alerts, notifications, files, software, data, and so forth.Receptacle 204 can also communicate with other devices, such as a serverand/or a collection vehicle, via transmitter 206 and receiver 208.Similarly, RCD 244 can communicate with other devices, such as a serverand/or a user device 246, 252, via transmitter 240 and receiver 242.

Moreover, receptacle 204 and RCD 244 can communicate with each otherand/or other devices via network 202. The network 202 can include apublic network, such as the Internet, but can also include a private orquasi-private network, such as an intranet, a home network, a virtualprivate network (VPN), a shared collaboration network between separateentities, etc. Indeed, the network 202 can include many types ofnetworks, such as local area networks (LANs), virtual LANs (VLANs),corporate networks, wide area networks, a cell phone transmitter andreceiver, a WiFi network, a Bluetooth network, and virtually any otherform of network.

Transmitter 206 and receiver 208 can be connected to printed circuitboard (PCB) 210, which controls various functions on receptacle 204. Insome embodiments, the RCD 244 can be incorporated within the PCB 210. InFIG. 2, the RCD 244 is electrically connected to the PCB 210 viatransmitters 206, 240 and receivers 208, 242. The RCD 244 can beconnected to transmitter 240 and receiver 242 via a two-waycommunication port, which includes transmitter 240 and receiver 242. ThePCB 210 can control electrical functions performed by the receptacle204. Electrical functions can include, for example, running compactionsby actuating a motor 226; sensing waste or recyclables volume inside thereceptacle 204 using a sensor at regular or programmable intervals, suchas a sonar-based sensor 222A, a proximity sensor, and/or photoeyesensors 222B-C; changing status lamps 230 at regular and/or programmablethresholds to/from a color indicating that the receptacle 204 is notfull (e.g., green), to/from a color indicating that the receptacle 204is almost full (e.g., yellow), to/from a color indicating that thereceptacle 204 is full (e.g., red); etc.

The RCD 244 can enable remote control and/or alteration of the functionsperformed or operated by the PCB 210. The RCD 244 can also provideaccess to, and control over, the various components 206, 208, 210, 212,214A-B, 216, 218, 220, 222A-H, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238 ofthe receptacle 204. Users can use a networked device, such as smartphone246 and/or remote device 252, to communicate with the RCD 244 in orderto manage and/or control the receptacle 204. For example, a user cancommunicate with the RCD 244 via the remote device 252 to change athreshold value on the PCB 210, which can control, for example, acollection timing; the compaction motor 226; the use of energy on alighted advertising display, such as display 232; the status lamps 230;the sensors 222A-G; the camera 224; etc. The remote device 252 caninclude virtually any device with networking capabilities, such as alaptop, a portable media player, a tablet computer, a gaming system, asmartphone, a global positioning system (GPS), a smart television, adesktop, etc. In some embodiments, the remote device 252 can also be inother forms, such as a watch, imaging eyeglasses, an earpiece, etc.

The remote device 252 and RCD 204 can be configured to automaticallymodify the PCB's 210 operating parameters. However, users can alsomanually modify the PCB's 210 operating parameters via the remote device252 and RCD 204. The operating parameters can be modified in responseto, for example, evolving industry benchmarks; user inputs; historicaldata, such as the data gathered from a separate database 250A-B;forecasted data, such as upcoming weather characteristics; trafficconditions; a collection schedule; a collection route; a proximity of acollection vehicle; a time and/or date; a location; a capacity, such asa capacity of the receptacle 204 and/or a capacity of a collectionvehicle; a fullness state of the receptacle 204; lapsed time betweencollections; lapsed time between compactions; usage conditions of thereceptacle 204; energy usage; battery conditions; statistics; a policy;regulations; a detected movement of an object, such as an object insideor outside of the receptacle 204; collection trends; industry and/orgeographical standards; zoning policies and characteristics; real-timeinformation; user preferences; and other data. The data from the remotedevice 252 can be relayed to the RCD 244, and the data from the RCD 244can be relayed, via the network 202, to the receptacle 204 and/or theremote device 252 for presentation to the user.

The user can control the RCD 244 and/or access and modify information onthe RCD 244 via a user interface, such as a web page, an application254, a monitor 256, and/or via voice messages and commands, textmessages, etc. The remote device 252 can include a user interface, whichcan display, for example, graphs of collection statistics and trends(e.g., collection frequency, usage, temperature, etc.), collectionreports, device settings, collection schedules, collectionconfigurations, historical data, status information, collectionpolicies, configuration options, device information, collection routesand information, alerts, etc. This way, users can access information tomake educated decisions about how to set and/or reset operatingparameters on the PCB 210; to control, for example, which sensors areused to gather data, which thresholds to set; to control outputs fromthe status lamps 230 and other components; etc. User can change settingson the receptacle 204, such as optimal collection timing, timing ofsensor actuation; and/or modify parameters, such as desired capacity andfullness thresholds; using a scroll down menu, click-and-slide tools,interactive maps displayed on the remote device 252, touch screens,forms, icons, text entries, audio inputs, text inputs, etc. In response,the RCD 244 can automatically reconfigure the PCB 210 settings,recalibrate sensors and displays, change operating parameters, etc.

The RCD 244 can include a two-way communication port that includestransmitter 240 and receiver 242, which can wirelessly communicate withthe PCB 210 of the receptacle 204, via the transmitter 206 and receiver208 on the receptacle 204, which are connected electrically to the PCB210. On scheduled and/or programmable intervals, the PCB's 210transmitter 206 can send data to a central server, such as data server248, via the network 202. Moreover, the RCD's 244 receiver 242 can beconfigured to query the data server 248, which can also be connected tothe remote device 252, for incoming data. The data server 248 cancommunicate data from databases 250A-B. If there is no data to bereceived by the receiver 208, the PCB 210 can be configured to promptlyreturn to a low-power mode, where the transmitter 206 and receiver 208circuits are turned off, until another scheduled, received, initiated,and/or programmed communication event. If there is data to be receivedby the receiver 208, such as a command to turn the receptacle 204 offand then back on, a command to change the thresholds upon whichcompactions are operated, a command to change the thresholds forproviding status updates and/or determining fullness states, etc., thenthe RCD receiver 242 can download the new data from the data server 248,via the RCD 244, to the PCB 210, altering its operating configuration.The RCD receiver 242 can also be configured to send data to the dataserver 248 to acknowledge the receipt of data from the PCB 210, and tosend selected data to the remote device 252, the smartphone 246, and/orany other device, for presentation to a user.

The data server 248 can also display the data to a user on remote device252, smartphone 246, or any other device. The data can be apassword-protected web page, a display on the smartphone 246, a displayon the monitor 256, etc. Remote control using the RCD 244 to reconfigureoperating thresholds, sensor use, sensor hierarchy, energy usage, etc.,can enable the receptacle 204 to alter characteristics that control itsenergy generation, energy consumption, and/or the collection andmanagement logistics, further enabling sound operation of the receptacle204.

The RCD 244 can be configured to communicate over a wireless networkwith the PCB 210, and transmit data to the data server 248, so the datacan be stored for viewing and manipulation by a user via anyweb-connected computer, phone, or device. The RCD 244 can also beconfigured to receive data from the data server 248, and transmit thedata back to the PCB 210. The PCB 210 can be electrically connected to avariety of sensors, such as sensors 222A-H, within the receptacle 204.Through the RCD 244, the PCB 210 can also be wirelessly connected to thedatabases 250A-B, and/or other external databases, such as a weatherdatabase, which may, for example, reside on a National Oceanographic andAtmospheric (NOAA) server, a database of trucks and locations andschedules, which may reside on a waste hauler's server, a database oftraffic conditions, etc. A user can also change which of the sensors222A-H are used in setting thresholds, among other things, in responseto, for example, user commands and/or changes in outside data, such asweather data or truck location data.

The PCB 210 can also communicate with a temperature sensor 222G togather temperature information, which can be transmitted to the RCD 244via the PCB transmitter 206. The temperature information can be used,among other things, to fine tune operational functions and energyconsumption of the receptacle 204. For example, the PCB 210 can bereconfigured to run less compaction per day, such as four to eightcompactions, in cold weather, since batteries are less powerful in coldweather. Coinciding with cold weather, the winter days are shorter, thussolar energy and battery power is limited. In order to conserve power onlow-sunlight days, the RCD 244 can adjust the PCB's 210 normal fullnesssensitivity levels, so that collections are prompted to be made earlier.For example, if the PCB 210 typically runs 20 compactions beforechanging status lamps from green to yellow, a signal that suggestsoptimal collection time, the RCD 244 can adjust the thresholds of thePCB 210 to run 10 compactions before changing from a green state to ayellow state, thus changing the total energy consumption of thecompactor between collections. In a busy location, the PCB 210 can beconfigured to sense receptacle fullness every minute, whereas in a lessbusy location, the PCB 210 can be configured to sense fullness once aday.

In some embodiments, the RCD 244 can also alter the timing of eventsusing algorithms based on the results of historical events. For example,the RCD 244 can be initially configured to sense fullness once perminute, but based on resulting readings, it can then alter the timing offuture readings. Thus, if three consecutive readings taken at one-minuteintervals yield a result of no trash accumulation, the RCD 244 canincrease the timing between readings to two minutes, then three minutes,etc., based on the various readings. The RCD 244 can also be configuredto adjust sensing intervals based on the level of fullness of thereceptacle 204, so it would sense more frequently as the receptacle 204fills, in order to reduce the margin of error at a critical time, beforethe receptacle 204 overflows. This “learning feature” can save energy byultimately synchronizing the sensor readings with actual need to sense.The RCD 244 can also alter thresholds of status lamps 230 based oncollection history, the need for capacity as determined by the frequencyof red or yellow lights on the receptacle 204, temperatures, expectedweather and light conditions, expected usage conditions, etc. The statuslamps 230 can be LED lights, for example.

In FIG. 2, the RCD 244 can be enabled, via the PCB 210, to read, forexample, a temperature sensor 222G; an encoder sensor 222D, which canmeasure movement of a compaction ram by utilizing an “encoder wheel”which is mounted on a motor shaft; one or more photoeye sensors 222B-C;door sensors; a sensor which measures current from the solar panel and asensor which can measure current from the battery 236 to the motor 226;a hall effect sensor 222F, which can detect movement of, for example, adoor; an infrared (IR) sensor 222E, a camera 224, etc. In addition, thethresholds set by the RCD 244 can be based on historical and real-timeinformation, user preferences, industry norms, weather patterns andforecasts, and other information. The RCD 244 can reset the PCB's 210normal thresholds hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or atadjustable intervals, based on a variety of information and userdecisions.

The RCD 244 can also alter the PCB's 210 normal hierarchy of sensorusage. For example, if the PCB 210 is configured to run a compactioncycle when one or more of the photoeyes 222B-C located inside thereceptacle 204 are blocked, the RCD 244 can reconfigure the sensorhierarchy by reconfiguring the PCB 210 to run compaction cycles after acertain amount of time has passed, by reading the position of theencoder sensor 222D at the end of a cycle, by reading one or morephotoeye sensors 222B-C, by calculating a sensor hierarchy based onhistorical filling rates, by a change in user preferences, etc. Using anaggregate of data from other receptacles located worldwide in a varietyof settings, the RCD's 244 configurations can depend on constantlyevolving parameters for optimizing energy utilization, capacityoptimization, and operational behavior, among other things. The RCD 244innovation and growing database of benchmarks, best practices andsolutions to inefficiency, enables the receptacle 204 to adapt andevolve.

Based on the data from the PCB 210, the sensors, inputs by the users(e.g., the customer or the manufacturer) via the RCD 244, and/or basedon other data, such as historical or weather data, the RCD 244 canchange the PCB 210 thresholds, operational parameters, and/orconfiguration, to improve the performance of the receptacle 204 indifferent geographies or seasons, or based on different usercharacteristics or changing parameters. Thus, the system andarchitecture can be self-healing.

The RCD 244 can also be configured to change the PCB's 210 normaloperating parameters. For example, the RCD 244 can be configured tocause the PCB 210 to run multiple compaction cycles in a row, to runenergy through a resistor 220 to apply a strong load upon the battery236, which can supply the energy. The RCD 244 can measure batteryvoltage at predetermined or programmable intervals, to measure the“rebound” of the battery 236. A strong battery will gain voltage quickly(e.g., the battery will almost fully recover within 15 minutes or so). Aweak battery will drop significantly in voltage (e.g., 3-5 volts), willrecover slowly, or will not recover to a substantial portion of itsoriginal voltage. By changing the normal parameters of the PCB 210, thebattery 236 can be subjected to a heavy load during a test period, whichwill determine the battery's strength without jeopardizing operations.The RCD 244 can then be configured to relay a message to the user that abattery is needed, or to use the battery differently, for example, byspacing out compactions in time, reducing the degree of voltage declinewithin a certain time period, etc. Based on the message and anyadditional information from the RCD 244, the user can then order a newbattery by simply clicking on a button on a web page, for example. TheRCD 244 can also alter the PCB 210 to do more compactions or otherenergy-using functions (like downloading software) during the daytime,when solar energy is available to replenish the battery 236 as it usesenergy.

Since the RCD 244 can be connected to databases, and can be informed bythe PCB 210 on each receptacle of conditions or status information atthe respective receptacle, the RCD 244 can also be used to relay datacollected from the databases or PCB 210 for other types of servicingevents. In other words, the RCD 244 can obtain, collect, maintain, oranalyze status, operating, or conditions information received from thePCB 210 of one or more receptacles and/or one or more databases storingsuch information, and relay such data to a separate or remote device,such as a remote server or control center. For example, the RCD 244 canbe configured to relay a message to a waste hauler to collect thereceptacle 204 if two or more parameters are met simultaneously. Toillustrate, the RCD 244 can relay a message to a waste hauler to collectthe receptacle 204 if the receptacle 204 is over 70% full and acollection truck is within 1 mile of the receptacle 204. The RCD 244 canthen send a message to the remote device 252 to alert a user that acollection had been made, and the cost of the collection will be billedto the user's account.

In addition, the RCD 244 can change the circuitry between the solarpanel 234 and the battery 236, so that solar strength can be measuredand an optimal charging configuration can be selected. The chargingcircuitry 214A-B is illustrated as two circuitries; however, one ofordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that some embodimentscan include more or less circuitries. Charging circuits 214A-B can bedesigned to be optimized for low light or bright light, and can beswitched by the RCD 244 based on programmable or pre-determinedthresholds. Also, while solar information can be readily available(e.g., Farmers' Almanac), solar energy at a particular location can varywidely based on the characteristics of the site. For example, light willbe weaker if reflected off a black building, and if the building istall, blocking refracted light. For this reason, it can be useful tomeasure solar energy on site, as it can be an accurate determinant ofactual energy availability at a particular location. To do this, thebattery 236 and solar panel 234 can be decoupled using one or morecharging relays 212. In other aspects, a very high load can be placed onthe battery 236 to diminish its voltage, so that all available currentfrom the solar panel 234 flows through a measureable point. This can bedone, for example, by causing the receptacle 204 to run compactioncycles, or by routing electricity through a resistor, or both.

There are a variety of other methods which can be used to create a load.However, putting a load on the battery 236 can cause permanent damage.Thus, the RCD 244 can also be configured to disconnect the battery 236from the solar panel 234, instead routing electricity through a resistor220. This can allow for an accurate measurement of solar intensity at aparticular location, without depleting the battery 236, which can helpassess the potential for running compactions, communicating, poweringilluminated advertisements, and powering other operations. In someembodiments, the PCB 210 can be reconfigured by the RCD 244 to runcontinuous compaction cycles for a period of time, measure solar panelcharging current, relay the data, and then resume normal operations.Different configurations or combinations of circuits can be used to testsolar intensity, battery state or lifecycle, and/or predict solar orbattery conditions in the future.

The RCD 244 can also track voltage or light conditions for a period ofdays, and alter the state of load and charging based on constantlychanging input data. For example, the RCD 244 can configure the timer218 of the PCB 210 to turn on the display 232 for advertising for anumber of days in a row, starting at a specific time and ending atanother specific time. However, if the battery voltage declines overthis period of time, the RCD 244 can then reduce the time of the load(the display 232) to every other day, and/or may shorten the time periodof the load each day. Further, the RCD 244 can collect information onusage and weather patterns and reconfigure the PCB's 210 normaloperating regimen to increase or reduce the load (for example, theadvertisement on the display 232) placed on the battery 236, based onthe information collected. For example, if it is a Saturday, andexpected to be a busy shopping day, the RCD 244 can allow a decliningstate of the battery 236, and can schedule a period on the near futurewhere a smaller load will be placed on the battery 236, by, for example,not running the advertisement on the coming Monday. In doing so, the RCD244 can optimize the advertising value and energy availability to useenergy when it is most valuable, and recharge (use less energy) when itis less valuable. In order to maximize solar energy gained from avariety of locations, the RCD 244 can cause the PCB 210 to selectbetween one of several charging circuits. For example, if it isanticipated that cloudy conditions are imminent, the RCD 244 can changethe circuit that is used for battery charging, in order to make thecharger more sensitive to lower light conditions. In a sunnyenvironment, the charger circuit used can be one with poor low-lightsensitivity, which would yield more wattage in direct sunlight.

The architecture 200 can also be used for monitoring functions, whichcan enable users to access information about the receptacle 204 andcollection process. With this information, users can make judgments thatfacilitate their decision-making, helping them remotely adjust settingson the receptacle 204 to improve performance and communication. Forexample, the RCD 244 can be configured to enable users to easily adjustcallback time, which is the normal time interval for communication thatis configured in the PCB 210. The RCD 244 can enable the user to alterthis time setting, so that the receptacle 204 communicates at shorter orlonger intervals. Once the PCB 210 initiates communication, otherparameters can be reconfigured, such as awake time, which is the amountof time the receiver is in receiving mode. This enables users to make“on the fly” changes. In some cases, the PCB 210 can shut down aftersending a message and listening for messages to be received. In thesecases, it can be difficult to send instructions, wait for a response,send more instructions and wait for response, because the time lapsebetween normal communications can be a full day. However, by remotelyadjusting the setting through the RCD 244, the user can make continuousadjustments while testing out the downloaded parameters in real time,and/or close to real time. This can enhance the ability of the user toremotely control the receptacle 204.

Further, the RCD 244 can alter the current of the photoeyes 222B-C, in atest to determine whether there is dirt or grime covering the lens.Here, the RCD 244 can reconfigure the normal operating current of thephotoeyes 222B-C. If the lens is dirty, the signal emitter photoeye willsend and the signal receiver will receive a signal on high power, butnot on low power. In this way, a service call can be avoided or delayedby changing the normal operating current to the photoeyes 222B-C. Thiscan be a useful diagnostic tool.

In some embodiments, regular maintenance intervals can be scheduled, butcan also be altered via information from the RCD 244. The RCD 244 can beconfigured to run a cycle while testing motor current. If motor currentdeviates from a normal range (i.e., 2 amps or so), then a maintenancetechnician can be scheduled earlier than normal. The RCD 244 can send amessage to the user by posting an alert on the users web page associatedwith the receptacle 204.

Other settings can be embodied in the receptacle 204 as well. Forexample, the PCB 210 can sense that the receptacle 204 is full. The RCD244 can then configure the PCB 210 to have a web page, or anotherdisplay, present a full signal. The RCD 244 can alter when the fullsignal should be presented to the user. For example, after accessing adatabase with historical collection intervals, the RCD 244 canreconfigure the PCB 210 to wait for a period of time, e.g., one hour,before displaying a full signal at the web page. This can be helpfulbecause, in some cases, a “false positive” full signal can be signaledby the PCB 210, but this can be avoided based on historical informationthat indicates that a collection only a few minutes after the lastcollection would be highly aberrational. The RCD 244 can thus beconfigured to override data from the PCB 210. Instead of sending a fullsignal to the user, the RCD 244 reconfigures the PCB 210 to ignore thefull signal temporarily, and delay the display of a full-signal on theusers' web page or smart phone, in order for time to go by andadditional information to be gathered about the receptacle's actualfullness status. For example, when a collection is made and ten minuteslater, the fullness sensor detects the receptacle 204 is full, thefullness display message on the web page can be prevented fromdisplaying a full status. In some cases, the bag can be full of air,causing the proximity sensor in the receptacle 204 to detect a full bin.Within a certain time period, e.g., twenty minutes in a busy location, afew hours in a less busy location, as determined based on the historicalwaste generation rate at the site, the bag can lose its air, and theproximity sensor can sense that the bin is less full than it was twentyminutes prior, which would not be the case if the bin was full withtrash instead of air. Thus, “false positive” information can be filteredout.

Likewise, tests and checks can be performed so that false negativeinformation is avoided as well. For example, if a bin regularly fills updaily, and there is no message that it is full after two or three days,an alert can appear on the users' web page indicating an aberration.Thresholds for normal operating parameters and adjustments to normal canbe set or reset using the RCD 244, or they can be programmed to evolvethrough pattern recognition. Although many operating parameteradjustments can be made through the web portal, adjustments can also bemade automatically. This can be controlled by a software program thataggregates data and uses patterns in an aggregate of enclosures to alterPCB 210 settings on a single enclosure. For example, if the collectiondata from 1,000 enclosures indicates that collection personnel collectfrom bins too early 50% of the time when compaction threshold setting isset to “high”, compared to 10% of the time when compaction settings areset at “medium,” then the RCD 244 can reprogram the compactionthresholds to the medium setting automatically, so that collectionpersonnel can be managed better, limiting the amount of enclosures thatare collected prematurely. Automatic reprogramming, governed by softwareprograms, can be applied to other aspects, such as user response todynamic elements of the receptacle 204, such as lighted or interactiveadvertising media displayed on the receptacle 204. For example, if usersrespond to an LCD-displayed advertisement shown on the receptacle 204for “discounted local coffee” 80% of the time, the RCD 244 can configureall receptacles within a certain distance, from participating coffeeshops, to display the message: “discounted local coffee.”

In some embodiments, the RCD 244 can include a data receiving portal forthe user with information displays about an aggregate of receptacles.Here, the user can access real-time and historical information of, forexample, receptacles on a route, and/or receptacles in a givengeography. The data can be displayed for the user on apassword-protected web page associated with the aggregate of receptacleswithin a user group. The receptacle 204 can also display, for example,bin fullness, collections made, the time of collections, batteryvoltage, motor current, number and time of compaction cycles run, graphsand charts, lists and maps, etc. This data can be viewed in differentsegments of time and geography in order to assess receptacle and/orfleet status, usage, and/or trends. The users' web page can show, forexample, a pie chart showing percentage of bins collected when their LEDwas blinking yellow, red and green, or a histogram showing thesepercentages as a function of time. These statistics can be categorizedusing pull down menus and single-click features. A single click mapfeature, for example, is where summary data for a particular receptacleis displayed after the user clicks on a dot displayed on a map whichrepresents that receptacle. This can allow the user to easily view andinteract with a visual map in an external application.

The RCD 244 can be configured to display calculated data, such as“collection efficiency,” which is a comparison of collections made tocollections required, as measured by the utilized capacity of thereceptacle 204 divided by the total capacity of the receptacle 204(Collection Efficiency=utilized capacity/total capacity). The user canuse this information to increase or decrease collections, increase ordecrease the aggregate capacity across an area, etc. Typically, theusers' goal is to collect the receptacle 204 when it is full—not beforeor after. The user can click buttons on their web page to showhistorical trends, such as collection efficiency over time, vehiclecosts, a comparison of vehicle usage in one time period versus vehicleusage in another time period, diversion rates, a comparison of materialquantity deposited in a recycling bin versus the quantity of materialdeposited into a trash bin. Other statistics can be automaticallygenerated and can include carbon dioxide emissions from trucks, whichcan be highly correlated to vehicle usage. Labor hours can also behighly correlated with vehicle usage, so the web page can display alabor cost statistic automatically using information generated from thevehicle usage monitor. As the user clicks on buttons or otherwise makescommands in their web portal, the RCD 244 can change the PCB's 210operating parameters, usage of sensors, etc., and/or measurementthresholds in response. The RCD 244 can also be configured toautomatically display suggested alterations to the fleet, such assuggestions to move receptacles to a new position, to increase ordecrease the quantity of receptacles in a given area, to recommend a newsize receptacle based on its programmed thresholds, resulting in animprovement in costs to service the fleet of receptacles.

Heat mapping can also be used to provide a graphical representation ofdata for a user. Heat mapping can show the user the level of capacity ineach part of an area, for example a city block, or it can be used toshow collection frequency in an area. In each case, the heat map can begenerated by associating different colors with different values of datain a cross sectional, comparative data set, including data from aplurality of enclosures. The heat map can be a graphical representationof comparative data sets. In some embodiments, red can be associatedwith a high number of a given characteristic, and “cooler” colors, likeorange, yellow and blue, can be used to depict areas with less of agiven characteristic. For example, a heat map showing collectionfrequency or compaction frequency across 500 receptacles can be usefulto determine areas where capacity is lacking in the aggregate ofenclosures—a relative measure of capacity. In this case, the highestfrequency receptacle can assigned a value of red. Each number can beassigned progressively cooler colors. In other embodiments, the redvalue can be associated with a deviation from the average or median, forexample, a darker red for each standard deviation. The heat maps can beshown as a visual aid on the user's web page, and can color-code regionswhere “bottlenecks” restrict vehicle and labor efficiency. A small redregion can show graphically, for example, that if the user were toreplace only ten receptacles with higher-capacity compactors, thecollection frequency to a larger area could be reduced, saving traveltime. Heat maps can be a helpful visual tool for showing data including,but not limited to, data showing “most collections” in a given timeperiod, “most green collections,” which can visually demonstrate thenumber of bins collected too early (before they are actually full),“most compactions,” which can show on a more granular level the usagelevel of the bin, “most uses,” which can represent how many times theinsertion door of the bin is opened or utilized, “most alerts,” whichcan show visually the number of “door open alerts,” which can show whendoors were not closed properly, “voltage alerts,” which can showvisually which receptacles are of low power, etc. While specificmeasurements are described herein to demonstrate the usefulness of heatmapping, there are other sets of data that can be represented by theheat maps, which are within the scope and spirit of this invention.

The heat map can also be used to present a population density in one ormore areas, as well as a representation of any other activity orcharacteristic of the area, such as current traffic or congestion, forexample. This information can also be shared with other businesses ordevices. For example, the RCD 244 can analyze the heat map and sharepopulation statistics or activity with nearby businesses ormunicipalities. The RCD 244 can, for example, determine a highpopulation density in Area A on Saturday mornings and transmit thatinformation to a nearby locale to help the nearby locale prepare for theadditional activity. As another example, if the receptacle is placed ina park, the RCD 244 can determine population and activity levels atspecific times and alert park officials of the expected high levels ofactivity so the park officials and/or those managing the receptacle canplan accordingly.

The RCD 244 can also be used for dynamic vehicle routing and compactionand/or receptacle management. Because the RCD 244 can be a two-waycommunicator, it can both send and receive information between variousreceptacles and databases. This can allow the user to cross-correlatedata between the fleet of receptacles and the fleet of collectionvehicles. The RCD 244 can receive data from the user and/or the user'svehicle. For example, the RCD 244 can receive GPS data or availabilitydata, and use it to change parameters on a given receptacle or aggregateof receptacles. The RCD 244 can receive this data from the users'GPS-enabled smartphone, for example. Similarly, the RCD 244 can senddata to the user, a user device, a smartphone, etc., about the status ofthe receptacle 204. With this two-way data stream, collectionoptimization can be calculated in real time or close to real time. Forexample, a collection truck is traveling to the east side of a city andhas 30 minutes of spare time. The RCD 244 can receive information aboutthe truck's whereabouts, availability and direction, and query adatabase for receptacle real time and historical fullness informationand determine that the truck can accommodate collections of twentyreceptacle locations. The RCD 244 can then display a list of twentyreceptacle locations that the truck can accommodate. The user can view amap of the twenty recommended locations, see a list of drivingdirections, etc. The map of driving directions can be optimized byadding other input data, such as traffic lights, traffic conditions,average speed along each route, etc. At the same time, as the truckheads to the east side of the city, the RCD 244 can reconfigurereceptacles on the west side to change compaction thresholds, so thatcapacity is temporarily increased, freeing up additional time for thetruck to spend in the east section. Alternatively, the RCD 244 canreconfigure a receptacle to temporarily display a “full” message topedestrians, helping them find a nearby receptacle with capacityremaining. The RCD 244 can, in the case where the receptacle requirespayment, increase pricing to the almost-full receptacle, reducing demandby pedestrians or other users. This same logic can be effective insituations where trucks are not used, for example, indoors at a mall orairport. The demand for waste capacity can vary, so having remotecontrol over the receptacle 204 can allow users to change settings,parameters, and/or prices to make the collection of waste dynamic andefficient.

The location of the receptacle 204 and other receptacles can bedetermined via triangulation and/or GPS, for example, and placed on amap in the interactive mapping features. Moreover, the location of anindoor receptacle can be obtained from indoor WiFi hot spots, and theindoor receptacle can be placed on a map in the interactive mappingfeatures. As a staff member accomplishes tasks (i.e., cleaning abathroom) and moves inside a facility, the staff member's location canbe tracked, and the fullness and location of nearby receptacles can beplotted on a map or given to the staff member by other means, asinstructions to add a collection activity to the list of tasks. Whetherby GPS, Wifi, Bluetooth, etc., triangulation between communication nodescan serve to locate a receptacle on a map, and measurements of fullnessof receptacles can be used to create work instructions for staff membersor truck drivers, so that efficient routes and schedules can be createdto save time.

To better manage the collection process, user groups can be separatedbetween trash and recycling personnel. In many cities, there areseparate trucks used to collect separate streams of waste, such as trashand recyclables. For this reason, it can be helpful to configure theuser's web page to display data based on a waste stream. The data canalso be divided in this fashion and displayed differently on asmartphone, hand-held computer, and/or other user device. In addition,data can be displayed differently to different users. For example, themanager of an operation can have “administrative privileges,” and thuscan change the location of a particular receptacle in the system, viewcollection efficiency of a particular waste collector, view loginhistory, and/or view industry or subgroup benchmarks, while a wastecollector with lower privileges can only view receptacle fullness, forexample. The RCD 244 or another device can also be configured to print alist of receptacles to collect next, a list of full or partially fullbins, etc. For example, the remote device 252 can be configured to printa list of receptacles to collect in the remaining portion of a route.

The disclosure now turns to FIGS. 3A-C, which illustrate an exemplarystorage receptacle 300. The storage receptacle 300 can be configured todynamically adjusting sensors and compaction operations, as furtherdescribed below.

The storage receptacle 300 includes a bin 302 for storing content items,and a door 306 for opening the storage receptacle 300 to throw ordeposit items in the bin 302. The storage receptacle 300 can have one ormore sensors 304A-B, such as photoeye sensors, placed above the bin 302for detecting the fullness state of the bin 302. The sensors 304A-B canbe positioned in one or more modules attached to the storage receptacle300 as further described below. In some configurations, the storagereceptacle 300 can include two modules, one on each side, and eachmodule can include two or more sensors. Here, the sensors can be placedat different heights in relation to the bin 302. For example, the twomodules can each include a lower sensor and a raised sensor. The sensorson each module can be activated and deactivated dynamically based oncompaction modes, energy levels, power schemes, operation schemes, etc.For example, the lower sensors can be active when frequent compactionsare desired. Since the sensors here are lower in relation to the bin302, they will detect waste materials more frequently than the raisedsensors and thus trigger more frequent compactions. On the other hand,if less frequent compactions are desired, the lower sensors can beautomatically deactivated and the raised sensors activated. This way,the lower and raised sensors can be dynamically adjusted and flippedback and forth based on specific conditions, settings, policies,schemes, and so forth.

In addition, each of the sensor modules can include an emitter andreceiver. Moreover, the storage receptacle 300 can include compactorsoftware or firmware configured to run self-diagnostics on each of thesensor modules and the normal paths, to ensure the storage receptacle300 is running properly and to report any errors to the managementconsole.

In some configurations, the storage receptacle 300 can also include asonar sensor 308 to detect objects in the receptacle 300 and calculatethe fullness state of the receptacle 300. As one of ordinary skill inthe art will readily recognize, the sonar sensor 308 and sensors 304A-Bcan also be placed in other locations based on the size and/or capacityof the receptacle 300, storage requirements, storage conditions,preference settings, etc. The signal transmitted and sensed in order todetermine trash levels can be any frequency (IR, visual range, etc.) andat any pulse rate. Further, while two upper sensors (304A, 304C) and twolower sensors (304B, 304D) are shown, any number and combination ofsensors, transmitters, and receivers could be applied in various placeswithin the receptacle 300. The storage receptacle 300 can also includeother types of sensors, such as an infrared sensor, a temperaturesensor, a hall effect sensor, an encoder sensor, a motion sensor, aproximity sensor, etc. The sonar sensor 308 and sensors 304A-B can sensefullness at regular intervals, and/or based on manual inputs and/or apre-programmed schedule, for example. Moreover, the sonar sensor 308 andsensors 304A-B are electrically connected to the printed circuit board(PCB) 316. Further, the sonar sensor 308 and sensors 304A-B can beactuated by the PCB 316, which can be configured to control the variousoperations of the storage receptacle 300.

The PCB 316 can control electrical functions performed by the storagereceptacle 300. The electrical functions controlled by the PCB 316 caninclude, for example, running compactions by actuating a motor; sensingwaste or recyclables volume inside the receptacle 300 using a sensor atregular or programmable intervals, such as sensors 304A-B; changingstatus lamps 318 at regular and/or programmable thresholds to/from acolor indicating that the receptacle 300 is not full (e.g., green),to/from a color indicating that the receptacle 300 is almost full (e.g.,yellow), to/from a color indicating that the receptacle 300 is full(e.g., red); collecting data and transmitting the data to anotherdevice; receiving data from another device; managing a power mode;measuring and managing a current; performing diagnostics tests; managinga power source; etc. The motor controller 310 can enable voltage to beapplied across a load in either direction. The PCB 316 can use the motorcontroller 310 to enable a DC motor in the receptacle 300 to runforwards and backwards, to speed or slow, to “brake” the motor, etc.

The storage receptacle 300 includes a transmitter 312 and a receiver 314for sending and receiving data to and from other devices, such as aserver or a remote control device. Accordingly, the storage receptacle300 can transmit and receive information such as instructions, commands,statistics, alerts, notifications, files, software, data, and so forth.The transmitter 312 and receiver 314 can be electrically connected tothe PCB 316. This way, the transmitter 312 can transmit data from thePCB 316 to other devices, and the receiver 314 can receive data fromother devices and pass the data for use by the PCB 316. In this regard,a user who is checking the status of the receptacle could drive down thestreet near the device (say within a wireless range, such as Bluetoothor WIFI, for example), not even get out of their vehicle, but receive asignal indicating that all is well, that the trash needs to be emptied,or that a repair or cleaning is needed.

Status lamps 318 can provide an indication of the status of the storagereceptacle 300. For example, the status lamps 318 can indicate thefullness state of the storage receptacle 300. To this end, the statuslamps 318 can be configured to display a respective color or patternwhen the storage receptacle 300 is full, almost full, not full, etc. Forexample, the status lamps 318 can be configured to flash red when thestorage receptacle 300 is full, yellow when the storage receptacle 300is almost full, and green when the storage receptacle 300 is not full.Moreover, the status lamps 318 can be LED lights, for example.

The status lamps 318 can also be configured to flash in various patternsto indicate various other conditions. For example, the status lamps 318can be configured to flash at the same time and in combination to showthat the receptacle 300 is full. The status lamps 318 can also beconfigured to flash in different patterns or times or colors to showtroubleshooting status information for example. In some cases, thestatus lamps 318 can be configured to flash in a predetermined manner toshow that a door of the receptacle is open, a component is damaged, anobstacle is stuck, an operation is currently active, etc.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize, thereceptacle 300 can include other components, such as motors, sensors,batteries, solar panels, displays, relays, chargers, GPS devices,timers, fuses, resistors, remote control devices, cameras, etc. However,for the sake of clarity, the receptacle 300 is illustrated without someof these components.

In some configurations, the storage receptacle 300 can be configured toimplement dirt sensing technology. The dirt sensing technology can usefirmware or other software instructions to monitor the signals, such asinfra-red signals, through the sensors on the receptacle 300, and usethis data to determine how dirty the detection sensors have become. Forexample, in some cases, a “clean” sensor 304D can take around 6 38khzpulses transmitted from a transmitter 304C before the signal isdetected. As the sensor becomes more and more, dirty it typically takeslonger to detect the signal, and may even take 20 38khz pulses, forexample. This data can be used to provide a scale of how dirty thesensor has become and provide feedback to the user before the sensorbecomes completely blocked. Once the sensor is blocked, the capacity ofthe compactor can be reduced since compactions may no longer performed.As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize, thefrequencies and number of pulses discussed herein are provided fornon-limiting illustration purposes. In fact, the frequencies used andnumber of pulses associated with specific dirt levels can vary based ona number of factors, such as hardware and preference settings. Moreover,other applications, frequencies and number of pulses are contemplatedherein.

As previously indicated, the receptacle 300 can be configured to operateat a reduced energy usage level. In some cases, the receptacle 300 canalso include a prevention mechanism to ensure that the receptacle doesnot run at zero capacity. Here, the receptacle 300 can be prevented fromshutting off completely, and configured to run at least at a thresholdlevel.

Furthermore, since the voltage of a battery does not generally indicatethe actual capacity in a battery, it can be beneficial to understandwhat capacity is available to ensure accurate machine operation and deadbattery notification. To this end, the machine firmware can analyzevoltage drops that occur after a compaction occurs at what current, andcan determine a ratio which can provide feedback and indications of thetrue battery capacity. The firmware can use this ratio to limitcompactions and or notify the management console of the battery state.As previously mentioned, the management console can be a console on theactual storage receptacle 300 and/or a remote device, such as a server,for example.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the storage receptacle 300 can include areflective portion 304 at the top of the bin 302 and facing towardscomponents 308 and 312. The components 308 and 312 can be a transmitterand a receiver. For example, the component 308 can be a transmitterconfigured to send a signal to the reflective portion 304. The component312 can be a receiver configured to receive a signal reflected from thereflective portion 304, which can be originally transmitted by thetransmitter, component 308. Thus, the transmitter 308 can send signalsdown to the reflective portion 304 to be reflected back to the receiver312. This configuration can be implemented to test a path from the topof the storage receptacle 300 to a top of the bin 302, for example. Insome cases, the components 308 and 312 can be situated to test a pathbetween a door on the storage receptacle 300 and the bin 302.

The reflective portion 304 can be a mirror, for example, or any otherreflective substance. In some cases, the reflective portion 304 can beat least some of the contents inside the bin 302, which can reflectlight or signals. For example, the reflective portion 304 can be trashinside the bin 302.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the storage receptacle 300 can include areflective portion 320A and a module 320B. The module 320B can includeone or more sensors. In some configurations, the module 320B can includea transmitter and a receiver. Here, the transmitter can send a signal tothe reflective portion 320A, and the signal can be reflected back to thereceiver. In other words, the transmitter in the module 320B can send asignal to a receiver in module 320B by bouncing the signal from thereflective portion 320A. In some cases, the storage receptacle 300 caninclude additional reflective portions to allow the transmitter andreceiver to be placed in different areas and/or positions while stillmaintaining the capability to communicate a signal between each other bybouncing the signal several times on various portions of reflectivematerial.

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary receptacle 400 with adjustable sensortechnology. The storage receptacle 400 can include a bin 402 for holdingor storing contents, such as waste materials. The storage receptaclealso includes modules 404A-B, each of which is attached or secured to aninner wall of the storage receptacle 400 a distance above the bin 402.The modules 404A-B include sensors 406A-D, which are configured todetect various conditions inside the storage receptacle 400, such asfullness levels or dirt levels of the sensors 406A-D. The sensors caninclude photoeye sensors, infrared sensors, proximity sensors, sonarsensors, motion detectors, etc. In some embodiments, the sensors 406A-Dare photoeye sensors. Each of the sensors can also include an emitterand a receiver for sending and receiving signals and beams.

In some configurations, module 404A can include sensors 406A, 406B.Similarly, module 404B can include sensors 406C, 406D. Sensors 406A and406C can be lower sensors in the sense that they are located at a lowerheight than sensors 406B and 406D, and are positioned at a closerdistance to the bin 402. On the other hand, sensors 406B and 406D can beraised sensors, at least in the sense that they are positioned higher inthe modules 404A, 404B and the storage receptacle 400, and thus arefurther in distance from the bin 402 than sensors 406A and 406C. Byincluding multiple sensors at different heights, the storage receptacle400 can automatically vary the height of the sensors used to sensematerials, waste, dirt levels, and other elements inside the storagereceptacle 400. For example, the storage receptacle 400 can activate thelower sensors, sensors 406A and 406C to perform sensing operations whilesensors 406B and 406D are deactivated or otherwise not operating as theprimary sensors. To modify the operations of the storage receptacle 400,such as the number of compactions, the frequency of compactions, the bincapacity, the power mode, etc.; the storage receptacle 400 canautomatically adjust the sensors 406A-D to raise the sensing operationsby activating the raised sensors, sensors 406B and 406D, anddeactivating the lower sensors, sensors 406A and 406C. In other words,the storage receptacle 400 can automatically flip or switch the lowersensors 406A and 406C to the raised sensors 406B and 406D.

The storage receptacle 400 can dynamically adjust the sensors 406A-D viaa processor, for example. The processor can control and dynamicallyadjust the sensors 406A-D via firmware or other software on a memory orPCB on the storage receptacle 400. The processor can executeinstructions to calculate when the sensors should be adjusted, orexecuted instructions signaled from a remote control device orapplication. As previously mentioned, by adjusting the height of theactive sensors relative to the bin 402, the operations, modes, andfunctions of the device can be significantly changed. For example, byraising the sensors, the storage receptacle 400 uses less energy, whichmay be beneficial when lighting is poor in a solar-poweredimplementation, for example. This is because, for example, the number ofcompactions performed by the storage receptacle 400 is reduced when thesensors that trigger the compactions are raised, as additional contentsor waste materials can be placed in the storage receptacle 400 beforethe raised sensors detect a need to compact. Alternatively, the lowersensors can be used to run the storage receptacle 400 in a highercapacity mode, which typically runs compactions with greater frequencyand thus may result in an increased capacity to hold additionalcontents.

As previously mentioned, the storage receptacle 400 can automaticallyadjust the sensors 406A-D. To this end, the modules 404A-B can includean emitter and a receiver to send and receive signals or beams to andfrom one another in order to detect current conditions at the storagereceptacle 400. In some configurations, the emitter and receiver on themodules 404A-B can send the signals or beams through a line-of-sightpath. Thus, if a beam sent by an emitter on module 404A is not receivedby a receiver on module 404B, the software module or firmware on thestorage receptacle 400 can detect that the beam was not received and,based on this information, make a determination that there is anobstruction, such as trash contents, in the line-of-sight path. Inresponse, the storage receptacle 400 can then run a compaction tocompact the contents causing an obstruction.

In some embodiments, the pulses in the beams transmitted from theemitter on module 406A to the receiver on module 406B can be counted todetermine the dirt levels or obstruction state of any of the sensors406A-D. For example, if there are fewer pulses before the beam isdetected, the software module or firmware can determine that the testedsensors are clean or operational. On the other hand, as the number ofpulses required before a beam is detected increases, the dirt orobstacle levels on the tested sensors can be deemed to have increasingdirt levels. For example, as a sensor becomes dirtier, it typicallytakes additional pulses before it can receive or properly send a beam.In some embodiments, the software module or firmware can associatedifferent number of pulses with varying dirt levels.

If the software module or firmware detects dirt levels on a sensorbeyond a threshold level, it can automatically deactivate the dirtysensor and activate another sensor on the module. For example, ifstorage receptacle 400 is using sensors 406A and 406C to detect volumeand fullness levels in the storage receptacle 400 but later determinesthat one or more of the sensors 406A and 406C are dirty beyond athreshold, it can automatically deactivate the dirty sensors 406A and406C, activate the raised sensors 406B and 406D and continue to usethose.

In some cases, each of the modules 404A-B can include an input sensorand an output sensor. For example, in some embodiments, sensor 406A onmodule 404A can be an output sensor and sensor 406B on module 404A canbe an input sensor. Similarly, sensor 406c on module 404B can be aninput sensor while sensor 406D on module 404B can be an output sensor.This way, the output sensor 406A and input sensor 406C can be used attimes to operate in a lower mode, and input sensor 406B and outputsensor 406D can otherwise be used at times to operate in a raised mode.The lower and raised modes can by dynamically and automaticallyswitched, activated, deactivated, flipped, or reversed as previouslydescribed. The varying input and output sensors can also be implementedto run self-diagnostics and other tests by modules 404A-B, as furtherdescribed below in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary configuration for runningself-diagnostics in a storage receptacle. As previously mentioned, eachof the sensor modules 404A-B can include an emitter and a receiver.Accordingly, the software module or firmware on the storage receptacle400 can run self-diagnostics on each of the sensor modules 404A-B usingthe emitter and receiver on the particular sensor module tested. Forexample, an emitter on sensor module 404A can transmit a beam, and thereceiver on the module 404A can listen for the beam along signal path408A. The receiver can then determine if it receives the beam and, ifso, how many pulses took to receive the beam. Based on the number ofpulses detected before the beam is received by the receiver, theself-diagnostics software can calculate a dirt level of the sensors406A-B. If the receiver is unable to detect or receive a beam at all,then the self-diagnostics software can determine that the sensors 406A-Bare completely dirty, blocked, or clogged. Sensor module 404B cansimilarly run a self-diagnostic test on each of the sensor modules404C-D using an emitter and receiver on the particular sensor to send areceive a beam along the signal path 408B.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary detection module 500. The detectionmodule 500 can include lenses 502 coupled to the detection module 500,and a detection board 504 that is coupled to the back of the detectionmodule 500 through connectors 506. The detection module 500 can includean emitter and a receiver for sending and receiving beams or signals.Moreover, the detection module 500 can include an input sensor and anoutput sensor as previously described. Further, the module 500 can beattached, secured, or coupled to an inner wall of the storagereceptacle. Here, the module 500 can be placed a distance above the binon the storage receptacle. The distance can depend on the size and shapeof the bin or the storage receptacle, the operating requirements of thestorage receptacle, specific policies or rules, specific conditions,personal preferences, a context, a current environment, an intended useof the storage receptacle, etc.

As previously mentioned, the detection board 504 can be attached,coupled, or secured to the back of the detection module 500. Thedetection board 504 can be attached, coupled, or secured to the back ofthe detention module 500 through the holes 506. The detection board 504can include detection sensors, emitters, receivers, firmware, memory,etc. In some embodiments, the detection board 504 includes an inputsensor and an output sensor spaced on different ends of the detectionmodule 500. The detection board 504 can also include a connector 508 toelectrically couple the detection board 504 to the receptacle and one ormore electrical components in the receptacle, such as a PCB, a memory, amotor, a sensor, a camera, a display, a battery, a wireless transmitterand receiver, etc. The connector 508 can be, for example, a plug, amating connector, an electrical paddle card, or any other type ofelectrical connectors.

Having disclosed some basic system components and concepts, thedisclosure now turns to the example method embodiment shown in FIG. 6.For the sake of clarity, the method is described in terms of an examplereceptacle 300, as shown in FIGS. 3A-C, configured to practice themethod. The steps outlined herein are illustrative and can beimplemented in any combination thereof, including combinations thatexclude, add, or modify certain steps.

The receptacle 300 first sends a signal from a transmitter on a firstmodule in the storage receptacle 300 to a receiver on a second module inthe storage receptacle 300, wherein the first module is located on afirst inner wall of the storage receptacle 300 and the second module islocated on a second inner wall of the storage receptacle 300, andwherein at least part of the first module and the second module islocated a distance above a bin inside the storage receptacle 300 (600).The first module and the second module can each include one or moresensors. The sensors can include a transmitter and a receiver forsending and receiving signals. In some cases, the signal can betransmitted from a transmitter at a first sensor on the first module toa receiver at a second sensor on the second module. Moreover, based onsensed conditions, power storage conditions, power needs, externalsunlight, operations mode, etc., the receptacle 300 can switch sensingoperations from the first sensor and the second sensor to a third sensorabove the first sensor and a fourth sensor above the second sensor. Thisway, the receptacle 300 can raise the relative height of the sensors inthe receptacle 300 used to sense operations as further described below.

The sensors can include a photoeye sensor, a motion sensor, a proximitysensor, a sonar sensor, a noise sensor, an image sensor, a camera, etc.In some embodiments, the sensors include photoeye sensors. Moreover, thefirst and second modules can include additional sensors. For example,the first and second modules can each include two or more sensors spaceda distance apart and having different heights in relation to the bin.

In some configurations, the first and second modules can each include aninput and an output sensor. An input sensor can refer to a receivingsensor and an output sensor can refer to a transmitting sensor (e.g.,through an emitter on the sensor). For example, the first module caninclude a first output sensor and, above the first output sensor, aninput sensor. The second module can then include a second input sensorand, above the second input sensor, a second output sensor. This way,the lower output and input sensors can be configured to detect contentsinside the bin at the lower position, and the raised or higher outputand input sensors can be configured to be activated to detect contentsinside the bin at the elevated position at times when it is moredesirable to implement the raised sensors as opposed to the lowersensors. For example, the lowers sensors may be implemented when morecompactions are desired, and the raised sensors can be implemented whenrunning in a power-saving.

Moreover, the first and second inner walls can refer to parallel walls,adjacent walls, opposite walls, etc. For example, the first inner wallcan be a wall on the left side of the receptacle and the second innerwall can be on the right side of the receptacle. Here, the modules andsensors can face each other. In some embodiments, the first inner wallcan be a top wall which can include the inner top or ceiling of thereceptacle, and the second inner wall can be a lower wall facing the topwall from a lower position such as a floor or divider. For example, thetop wall can be the ceiling of the inside of the receptacle, aspreviously suggested, and the lower wall can be the top of the bininside of the receptacle, which can serve as a floor facing the topwall.

In some cases, the receptacle can replace the second module with amirror or another component capable of reflecting light or signals. Forexample, the receptacle can include the first module, and instead of, orin addition to, the second module, a mirror strategically placed insidethe receptacle to reflect light or signals transmitted from atransmitter associated with the first module. In this regard, thetransmitter can send the signal to a mirror that reflects the signalback to the first module and allows the receiver on the first module toreceive the signal from the transmitter. In fact, the receptacle can beconfigured to include one or more additional mirrors or reflectors thatallow a signal from the transmitter to bounce one or more times insidethe receptacle before reaching the receiver. The number of mirrors ormodules implemented can be based on operating conditions, preferences,receptacle size and shape, usage expectations or demands, location,policies, rules, etc.

In some cases, the receptacle can include a first mirror configured toreflect a signal from a transmitter on a first module to a receiver onthe first module, and a second mirror configured to reflect the signalfrom a transmitter on a second module to a receiver on the secondmodule. This way, the receptacle can be configured to use the firstmodule and first mirror under normal conditions, and switch to thesecond module and second mirror under varying conditions, such as faultyconditions. To this end, the multiple modules and mirrors can provideredundancy, fault tolerance, or different operating modes, for example.In some cases, every side in the inside of the receptacle can include amirror device or a module, including the roof/ceiling and floor of thereceptacle. The floor of the receptacle can refer to the actual floor ofthe receptacle and/or the top of the bin inside of the receptacle, whichprovides a floor to the upper, inside portion of the receptacle. Here,the bin can be equipped with a top mirroring panel, a module on thebin's roof or top, or a module placed on top of the bin.

Next, the receptacle 300 determines a signal-detection characteristicincluding at least one of a signal detection status and a number ofsignal pulses associated with a signal detection (602). Thesignal-detection characteristic can include signal input and outputcharacteristics. For example, the signal-detection characteristic caninclude whether the signal was detected at all, how many pulses weretransmitted before the signal was detected or received, or any othertraits or parameters of the signal. Moreover, the signal detection canrefer to whether the signal was detected or not, for example. Thus, thenumber of signal pulses associated with the signal detection can referto the number of pulses before the signal was detected, or the number ofpulses without a signal detection at all.

Based on the signal-detection characteristic, the receptacle 300 thendetermines a current operating condition of the receptacle 300, theoperating condition including at least one of a fullness levelassociated with the bin and an obstruction level associated with atleast one of the first sensor and the second sensor (704). For example,the receptacle 300 can determine whether the signal was detected orreceived at all based on the signal-detection characteristic, anddetermine that there is currently an obstruction inside the receptacle300 based on a failure to detect or receive the signal. Moreover, thereceptacle 300 can also determine the obstacle levels, such as a dirtlevel, based on the number of pulses until the signal is detected orreceived. In some cases, as the sensors are clogged, dirty, orobstructed to a greater degree, it typically takes a greater number ofpulses until the signal is successfully detected or received.Accordingly, the number of pulses can be used to calculate theobstruction levels of one or more sensors. Obstruction levels can referto dirt levels, particle levels, performance levels, clogged levels,path-obstruction levels, light conditions, line-of-sight conditions, andso forth.

In some cases, the receptacle 300 can determine the obstruction levelsbased on an image of one or more sensors inside the receptacle 300. Forexample, the receptacle 300 can determine the obstruction level byanalyzing an image taken of one or more of the sensors on the first orsecond modules, and/or any additional sensors. To this end, thereceptacle 300 can include one or more cameras inside of the receptacle300 to take images of one or more sensors inside the receptacle 300. Theimages from the camera can then be analyzed to determine the dirt orobstruction levels of the sensors. In some cases, the images from thecamera can also be used to identify obstacles in the receptacle 300.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also includetangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable storage devices forcarrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structuresstored thereon. Such tangible computer-readable storage devices can beany available device that can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer, including the functional design of any specialpurpose processor as described above. By way of example, and notlimitation, such tangible computer-readable devices can include RAM,ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storageor other magnetic storage devices, or any other device which can be usedto carry or store desired program code in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions, data structures, or processor chipdesign. When information or instructions are provided via a network oranother communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, orcombination thereof) to a computer, the computer properly views theconnection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of the computer-readablestorage devices.

Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. Computer-executable instructions also includeprogram modules that are executed by computers in stand-alone or networkenvironments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,components, data structures, objects, and the functions inherent in thedesign of special-purpose processors, etc. that perform particular tasksor implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executableinstructions, associated data structures, and program modules representexamples of the program code means for executing steps of the methodsdisclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executableinstructions or associated data structures represents examples ofcorresponding acts for implementing the functions described in suchsteps.

Other embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in networkcomputing environments with many types of computer systemconfigurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices,multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and thelike. Embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by local and remote processingdevices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, orby a combination thereof) through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote memory storage devices.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. Various modifications and changes may be made to theprinciples described herein without following the example embodimentsand applications illustrated and described herein, and without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Claim language reciting “atleast one of” a set indicates that one member of the set or multiplemembers of the set satisfy the claim.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: transmitting a signal from a transmitter on a first module in a storage receptacle to a receiver on a second module in the storage receptacle, wherein the first module is located on a first inner wall of the storage receptacle and the second module is located on a second inner wall of the storage receptacle, and wherein at least part of the first module and the second module is located a distance above a bin inside the storage receptacle; determining a signal detection characteristic comprising at least one of a signal detection status and a number of signal pulses associated with a signal detection; and based on the signal detection characteristic, determining a current operating condition of the storage receptacle, the operating condition comprising at least one of a fullness level associated with the bin and an obstruction level associated with at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first module comprises a first set of sensors and the second module comprises a second set of sensors, the first set of sensors comprising a first lower sensor and a first upper sensor, and the second set of sensors comprising a second lower sensor and a second upper sensor, the method further comprising: deactivating the first lower sensor and the second lower sensor and activating the first upper sensor and the second upper sensor to yield a raised sensor operation, wherein the raised sensor operation is based on at least one of a volume of contents in the bin, a height of trash contents inside the bin, an energy mode, power storage levels, an amount of outside light, and obstacle levels associated with at least one sensor from the first set of sensors and the second set of sensors.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a change to a current operating mode of the storage receptacle based on the current operating condition; and modifying, via a processor associated with the storage receptacle, the current operating mode of the storage receptacle to yield a modified operating mode based on the change, the modified operating mode comprising at least one of a compaction mode and an obstructed sensor mode.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the compaction mode is based on the fullness level of the bin, the fullness level being identified based on a failure to detect the signal by a sensor associated with at least one of the first module and the second module, and the fullness level comprising a volume of contents inside the bin.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising initiating, via a processor, a compaction of contents in the bin based on the fullness level, wherein the compaction is initiated based on a threshold volume.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the obstructed sensor mode depends on the obstruction level as determined based on the number of signal pulses before the signal is detected by the receiver.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the obstruction level comprises a material level on a sensor associated with at least one of the first module and the second module, and wherein the dirt level is based on an obstruction scale.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the dirt level is calculated based on an amount of time between an output of the signal and an input of the signal.
 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising, based on the obstruction level, modifying a sensing operation of the storage receptacle by deactivating a first lower sensor on the first module and a second lower sensor on the second module, and activating a first raised sensor on the first module and a second raised sensor on the second module, wherein the first raised sensor sensor is located above the first lower sensor in relation to the bin and the second raised sensor is located above the second lower sensor in relation to the bin.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first lower sensor comprises a first input sensor and the second lower sensor comprises a first output sensor, and wherein the first raised sensor comprises a second output sensor and the second raised sensor comprises a second input sensor.
 11. The method of claim 6, further comprising, based on the obstruction level, raising the distance above the bin of active sensors associated with the first module and the second module to yield a height adjustment.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the height adjustment further comprises, based on the obstruction level, raising a first location associated with a first sensor to a second location that is higher than the first location in relation to the bin, and raising a third location associated with a second sensor to a fourth location that is higher than the third location in relation to the bin.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein raising the first location and the third location are performed automatically in response to a configuration signal from a processor coupled to the storage receptacle.
 14. The method of claim 6, further comprising, based on the obstruction level, modifying a respective position of each of the first module and the second module to raise a height associated with the first sensor and the second sensor.
 15. The method of claim 6, further comprising configuring, via a processor, the storage receptacle to operate at a reduced capacity based on the obstruction level calculated.
 16. A receptacle comprising: a processor; an energy storage for powering operational functions performed by the receptacle; a first module comprising a first sensor and a second module comprising a second sensor, the first sensor and the second sensor being configured to detect a condition associated with the receptacle, and the first sensor and the second sensor comprising an transmitter and a receiver, wherein the first module is located on a first inner wall of the receptacle and the second module is located on a second inner wall of the receptacle, and wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are located at a distance above a storage bin inside the storage receptacle; a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: transmitting a signal from the transmitter to the receiver; determining a signal detection characteristic comprising at least one of a signal detection status and a number of signal pulses associated with a signal detection; and based on the signal detection characteristic, determining a current operating condition of the receptacle, the operating condition comprising at least one of a fullness level associated with the storage bin and an obstruction level associated with at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor.
 17. The receptacle of claim 16, storing additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, result in operations further comprising: determining a modification to a current operating mode of the receptacle based on the current operating condition; and modifying the current operating mode of the receptacle to yield a modified operating mode based on the modification, the modified operating mode comprising at least one of a compaction mode and an obstructed sensor mode, wherein the compaction mode is based on the fullness level of the storage bin, the fullness level being identified based on a failure to detect the signal by at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor, and the fullness level comprising a volume of contents inside the storage bin, and wherein the obstructed sensor mode depends on a level of obstruction associated with at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor, the obstruction level being calculated based on a number of signal pulses measured prior to a detection of the signal, the computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the processor, result in an operation further comprising configuring the receptacle to operate at a reduced capacity based on the obstruction level calculated.
 18. The method of claim 16, the computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the processor, result in an operation further comprising, based on the obstruction level, modifying a sensing operation of the receptacle by deactivating the first sensor and the second sensor and activating a third sensor on the first module and a fourth sensor on the second module, wherein the third sensor is located above the first sensor in relation to the storage bin and the fourth sensor is located above the second sensor in relation to the storage bin.
 19. A computer-readable storage device having stored therein instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: sending a signal from a transmitter on a first module in a storage receptacle to a receiver on a second module in the storage receptacle, wherein the first module is located on a first inner wall of the storage receptacle and the second module is located on a second inner wall of the storage receptacle, and wherein at least part of the first module and the second module is located a distance above a bin inside the storage receptacle; determining a signal detection characteristic comprising at least one of a signal detection status and a number of signal pulses associated with a signal detection; and based on the signal detection characteristic, determining a current operating condition of the storage receptacle, the operating condition comprising at least one of a fullness level associated with the bin and an obstruction level associated with at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor.
 20. The computer-readable storage device of claim 19, storing additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform in operations further comprising: based on the current operating condition, modifying a current operating mode of the storage receptacle to yield a modified operating mode, the modified operating mode comprising at least one of a compaction mode and an obstructed sensor mode, wherein the compaction mode is based on the fullness level of the bin, the fullness level being identified based on a failure to detect the signal by a sensor associated with at least one of the first module and the second module, the fullness level comprising a volume of contents inside the bin, and wherein the obstructed sensor mode depends on a level of obstruction of a sensor associated with at least one of the first module and the second module; and configuring the receptacle to operate at a reduced capacity when a threshold obstruction level is detected, the threshold obstruction level being detected based on a predetermined number of signal pulses transmitted prior to a detection of the signal. 